Dina Asher-Smith off the pace in opening Diamond League meeting

Dina Asher-Smith’s season began with unwelcome turbulence as she finished a well-beaten third in the 200m at the opening Diamond League meeting in Doha.

Asher-Smith had promised that she was fit and flying but after powering around the bend she tailed off sharply as the American Gabby Thomas and Jamaican Shericka Jackson fought it out at the front.

Thomas, the bronze medallist in Tokyo and third fastest woman in history, came through to win in an impressive 21.98 sec. But Asher-Smith’s face – and words – said it all after she finished in 22.37. “I feel like I was in a bit better shape than that time,” admitted Asher-Smith, who had the benefit of a +1.3m tailwind. “I’m a little bit disappointed but at the same time, it is the first race. I’ve got to get a few more under my belt.”

At least Asher-Smith can take some comfort in it being her fastest ever season opener – while the other Briton in the race, Beth Dobbin, was sixth in 23.06. “It takes me a while to warm up,” added Asher-Smith, who will race over 100m in Birmingham next Saturday. “So it’s all good.”

Asher-Smith knows she has plenty of time to improve, and opportunities for medals in 2022 – starting with the world championships in Eugene in July, followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the European Championships in Munich in August.

Earlier in the evening Daniel Rowden finished fourth in a high-quality 800m won by new Kenyan star Noah Kibet. Kibet, who only turned 18 last month, has already won a world indoor silver this year and the way he powered clear of a field, which included world champion Donovan Brazier and Olympic silver medallist Ferguson Rotich, sug gested that more medals will be on the way.

Rowden looked well-placed in third with 200m to